Wheel cover



Jan. 29, 1957 G. A. LYoN 2,779,633

WHEEL COVER Filed sept. s, 1954 UnitedStates Patent f' `2,779,633 oWHEEL 'CovER George Albert Lyon, Detroit, Mieli. Application September3, 1954,`Se`rial No. 454,002 f s Claims. (ci. animar) The presentinvention relates to improvements in wheel structuresand moreparticularly concerns the `ornamental and protective covering of theouter` sides of vehicle Wheels.

An important object ofthe present invention is to provide a wheelstructure with improved means for` covering the outer side thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a novel trim ring and hubcap combination for the outer side of a vehicle wheel. i

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved trim ringassembly for vehicle Wheels wherein the trim ring is held on the wheelby a hub capfree from any tensions "or strains in service tending todisengagethe cover assembly unintentionally. i ,p

Still another object ofthef invention is to` provide an improved trimring assembly for vehicleV wheels providing for air `circulationthrough`the wheel and through and past the trim ring. A y

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdraw-Y ing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel structure` embodyingfeatures of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged radialrsectional view takensubstantially on the line II-`II of Figure, l;

Figure 3 is a radial sectional View similar to Figure 2 but showing amodication; and` t i Figure 4 isa fragmentary outer `side elevationalview of the trim ring of Figure 3. v

Having. reference to `Figures land 2, the inventionris shown inassociation with a wheel including a wheel body; Shaving at its outermargin a `generally axially inwardly directed attachment ilange 7secured in suitable fashionto a base ange 8 of a tire rim.` At suitable.intervals` such In the present instancethewheel body V is preferably.

constructed along the linescovered in my issued `Patent 2,445,330 datedJuly 20, 1948, and adapted to support thereon a hub cap 13. For thispurpose the Wheel body 5`is provided with a generally` axially outwardlybulged` portion 14 having at the radially outer side thereof and spacedradially inwardly from the wheel openings 9, a generally radiallyoutwardly facing shoulder 15 provided at suitable spaced intervals suchas three or four,V with cover-retaining generally radially` outwardlyprojecting bumps 17 provided with axially and radially inwardly` slopingrespective cover-retaining shoulders 18 spaced throughoutv in offsetrelation to the shoulder V15 on the spaced circumferential series.`Tlrese air circulation open-x ings 25 arledisposed in assembly oppositethewheel open- 3, inner edge of thertrim ring,l fore'ngagement.withtltewheeltA 2,779,633 Patented Jan. 29, 1957 position onthe wheel over the retaining bumps 17 and the beaded edge 19 of the hubcap can be pried free from the bumps with a` pry-off tool when desired.

According to the present invention a. trim ring 20 is provided forsubstantially covering the tire rim and the portion of the wheel bodylocated radially outwardly from the edge of the hub cap on the wheel.The trim ring com prises an annular body made from suitable materialsuch as sheet metal such as stainless steel or brass suitably nish'edas, for example, by polishing and plating. .The trim ring body extends`generally radially and axially voutwardly from an inner marginalextremity 21 of a diameter to snap behind the retaining bumps 18 in amanner to retain the'trim ring on the wheel in a preliminary fashion atleast, and more particularly when the hub cap 13` is removed, or beforethe hub cap has been applied to the wheel. In this manner, when the hubcap 13 is applied to the wheel and the retaining bead 19 thereofcontractionally grips the retaining bump shoulders 15 and is cammedaxially inwardlytoward the ,cover body S, the bead will press firmlyagainst the trim ring inner marginal extremity 21 andthereby clamp thesame firmly against the wheel bodyagainst any `possibility of the trimring rattling on the wheel. i

Since in service a vehicle wheel such as that here im vvolved ilexes andweaves to some extent, especially when thevehicle is run around a corneror in aturn, it is desirable to have` the trim'ring free from engagementwith one of the wheelmembers while the trim ring is held in positiononrthe other of the Wheel members. In the present` instance, ofcoursertheftrim ring is held on .the wheel body 5. Therefore, it isdesirable to maintain the trim ring outof engagement in thefassemblywith respect to the tire rim.` This-is accomplished as best seen in Fig.`2 by havingthe `body of the trim ring 2l) extend to a substantiallyaxiallyoutward overlying relation to the tire` rirnand more particularlythe terminal flange `11 thereof.

marginal portion `22 thatroverlies the terminal, flange 11 inspaced-relation and joins. the-body of the trim ring Yotr a reinforcingand stil'fening rib junctur'er23. Through' this; arrangement asubstantial,gap is provided `brtwten the;y outer margin of `the trimring andthe tire rim through.'- which air is. .adapted to circulateinthe operation of the wheel, and `thereby"facilitate circulation of airthrough the Wheel openings 9i At its outer extremity the margin-dl.portion 22 of the t-rim ring is. `preferably provided with anunderturned reinforcing and finishing ange 24 which is preferably spacedfrom the tip of the terminal flange `11 to enable free air passagethereby and also to accom- 1r1odate.whee'lJ balancing weights Athatmaybe applied to the terminalflange behir'idrthe trim ringroutermargin.'

Additional facility for air circulation l isaord'ed by providingthe`body of the trim` ring 2t? withy al plurality ,of` air circulationapertures 25 in `thepresent instancercom` prising generally radiallyelongated slots disposed inizi ings 9, y, Y.

When theV trim ring 3kb is ont-the wheel, a value stemv 27 projects`tlirr-rugli a snita'ole valve steml aperture` 23'V therein. it isdesirable to prevent distortion of stem as might occur should the 'trimring L to turn on the wheel.` avoided herein by `the provision of meanson ring` radially outwardly adjacent to' Vthe portion lfthatwis, spaced.radially outwa xi marginal 4dly from fthe `Such turning of trim Vring e*In inner end portions 3l) which are pressed firmly againstl 'the Wheelbody 5 by the axially inward thrusting force of the hub cap bead 19acting against the inner marginal extremity portion 21 of the trimring.' Since the edges defining the anges 29 and more particularly atthe radially inner ends of the flanges are fairly rough as a result ofthe pressing out thereof from the body of 'the trim ring, the burrededges engaging the wheel body wilt bite `or tend to dig thereinto, andmore particularly the paint covering the wheel body and strongly resistany tendency for 'the trim ring to turn in either direction yon thewheel responsive to torque forces exerted thereagainst', as when thewheel is rapidly accelerated or rapidly decelerated.

In the modification of Figures 3 and 4, structural details of the tirerim and wheel body are substantially the same as shown in Figure 2 andtherefore the'same reference numerals have been applied to identicalparts. However, in this form a hub cap 31 is applied to the outer sideof the wheel and retains in service position a trim ring 32. It will beobserved that the hub cap 31 has an outer marginal structure providedwith a resiliently exible marginal inturned bead 33 cooperating with theretaining bumps 17 to retain the hub cap on the wheel.

The trim ring 32 has an inner marginal extremity portion 34 in assemblycooperating with the bumps 17 for preliminarily retaining the trim ringon the wheel and when the hub cap 31 is on the wheel being engaged bythe retaining bead 33 of the hub cap and pressed firmly toward the wheelbody 5.

The body of the trim ring 32 extends generally radially and axiallyoutwardly into overlying relation to the axially outer side of the tirerim and is provided with an angular stepped reinforced outer marginalportion 35 having an underturned extremity reinforcing and nishingflange 37 of bead-like nature spaced in axially outward relation fromthe tire rim terminal flange 11 whereby air circulation past the outerperimeter of the trim ring is enabled.

In the body portion of the trim ring 32 a series o'f circumferentiallyspaced air circulation apertures 38 is.

provided, in the present instance of generally wedge shape Wider at theradially outer ends than at 'the radially inner ends, and the radiallyinner ends are disposed -closely adjacent to the inner marginal portion34 of the trim ring. Along the longitudinal sides of the openings 38 areprovided respective generally axially inwardly directed anges 39 derivedfrom the material of the trim ring body in striking out the openings 38.At their radially inner ends the anges 39 engage against the wheel body5 under the axially inward thrust imposed by the hub cap bead 33 in theassembly. Thereby the trim ring 32 is held against turning in eitherdirection on the wheel in service since the inner ends of the flanges 39act as spurs or anchoring points biting or digging into the surface ofthe wheel body 5.

It will be observed that by the radially elongated formation of theopenings 25 and 33 in the trim ring, the areas between the openingsafford a generally spoke-like appearance to the cover. In addition, thelianges 29 and 39, respectively, of the trim rings by extendingthroughout the lengths of the openings with which associated affordsubstantial rigidifying braces'for the spoke portions between rtheopenings and thereby maintain the trim ring body substantially rigidradially outwardly from the -respective inner marginal bump-engaging andhub cap engaged marginal extremities 21 and 34, respectively of the trimrings.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wheel structure including a wheel body and a tire rim, `a hubcap for disposition at the outer side of the wheel body and engageablewith retaining means on the wheel body, and a trim ring having an innermarginal portion retainingly underlying the hub cap, said trim ringhaving adjacent the portion thereof engaged by the hub cap generallyaxially inwardly directed turn-preventing means spaced radiallyoutwardly from the inner edge of the trim ring and arranged to thrustagainst the wheel body under retaining pressure against the innermarginal portion of the trim ring by the hub cap.

2. In a wheel structure including a wheel body and a tire rim, a hub capfor disposition at the outer side of the wheel body and engageable withretaining means on the wheel body, and a trim ring having an innermarginal portion retainingly underlying the hub cap, said trim ringhavingadjacent the portion thereof engaged by the hub cap generallyaxially inwardly directed turn-preventing means arranged to thrustagainst the wheel body under retaining pressure against the innermarginal portion of the trim ring by the hub cap, said turn-preventingmeans comprising anges struck out fromv the body of the trim ringradially outwardly relative to the inner edge of the trim ring.

3. In a'wheel structure including a wheel body and a tire rim, a hub capfor disposition at the outer side of the wheel body and engageable withretaining means on the wheel body, and a trim ring having an innermarginal portion retainingly underlying the hub cap, said trim Vringhaving adjacent the portion thereof engaged by the hub cap generallyaxially inwardly directed turnpreventing means arranged to thrustagainst the wheel body under retaining pressure against the innermarginal portion of the trim ring by the hub cap, said turn-preventingymeans comprising flanges defining openings through the trim ring spacedradially outwardly beyond the edge of the hub cap.

4. In a wheel structure including a tire Vrim and a wheel body, a hubcap for disposition at the outer side of the Wheel body and engageableretainingly with retaining means on the wheel body, a trim ring havingan inner marginal portion engaging the wheel body and retained in placeby the hub cap, said trim ring extending into substantially overlyingrelation to the tire rim and being entirely spaced therefrom andproviding an air gap between the tire rim and the outer margin of thetrim ring, there being an aperture in the trim ring for accessprojection therethrough of a valve stem extending from the tire rim, andmeans on the trim ring radially outwardly adjacent to said marginalportion engageable with the wheel body to hold the trim ring againstturning on the wheel. j

5. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, a hub capfor disposition at the outer side of 'the wheel body and engageableretainingly with retaining means on the wheel body, a trim ring havingan inner marginal portion engaging the wheel body and retained in placeby the hub cap, said trim ring extending into substantially overlyingrelation to the tire rim and being entirely spaced therefrom andproviding an air gap between the tire rim and the outer margin of thetrim ring, the body of the trim ring having apertures therein for aircirculation therethrough and said apertures having flanges directedgenerally axially inwardly andl pressing under thrust from the hub capagainst the Wheel body toA hold the trim ring against turning on thewheel.

6. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a Wheel body, a hub capfor disposition at the outer side-'of 'the wheel body, a trim ringhaving a pluralityof generally spoke-like portions separated byelongated apertures in the trim ring and provided with an annular innerextremity ange engageable by the hub capto thrustthe same into retainedrelation with the wheel body, and generally axially inwardly directedbiting means at the` inner ends of the apertures engageable with thewheel body under hub cap imposedV thrust to retain the trim ring againstturning. K

7. In a Wheel structure including a wheel body and a tire rim, the wheelbody having generally radially outwardly directed cover-retaining bumpsthereon, a hub cap for disposition at the outer side of the wheel andprovided with a marginal portion retainingly engageable with the bumps,a trim ring for substantially covering the tire rim and the portion ofthe wheel body radially outwardly from said bumps, said trim ring havingan inner marginal portion for underlying the retaining margin of the hubcap and pressed thereby toward engagement with the wheel body, andgenerally axially inwardly directed flanges on a radially youter part-of said marginal portion of the trim ring engaging under pressure ofthe hub cap against the wheel body and thereby holding the trim ringagainst turn ing on the wheel.

8. In a wheel structure including a itire rim and a wheel body withopenings through the wheel adjacent juncture of the tire rim and wheelbody and with a generally radially outwardly facing annular shoulder onthe wheel body radially inwardly from the openings and provided withradially outwardly projecting cover retaining bumps, a hub cap forengagement in snap-on pry-oi relation with the bumps, and a trim ringfor overlying the wheel body between said vshoulder and extending intooverlying relation -to the tire rim with an opening in the trim ring foraccess registration and projection therethrough of a valve stemextending `from the tire rim, said trim ring having an inner marginalportion underlying the edge of the hu'b cap and thereby held in place onthe wheel, the trim ring extending generally radially and axiallyoutwardly and lying entirely spaced from the tire rim to afford asubstantial air gap between the trim ring and the tire rim for passageof air between the wheel openings and said gap, the trim ring havingradially extending intermediate reenforcement land having annular outermarginal reenforcing structure for Isubstantially s'titening ythe sameso that the trim ring will be self-sustaining and rigid -enough towithstand normal service conditions `although supported entirely at itsinner margin between the edge of the hub cap and the wheel body, therebeing means on the trim ring radially outwardly `adjacent to said innermarginal portion for engagement with the wheel body to retain the trimring against turning on the wheel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.19,467 Lyon Feb. l2, 1935 2,094,326 Lyon Sept. 28, 1937 2,544,702 LyonMar. 13, 1951 2,544,703 Lyon Mar. 13, 1951 2,569,483 Lyon Oct. 2, 1951

